Has anyone been to LIBS today?

[crazy4557]

No venue is ideal for everybody; Excel is hardly ideal for many people. But the proof of the pudding is in the figures. In LIBS first year at Excel (2004), there were 213,000 visitors. This has dropped steadily every year with only 93,000 visitors last year. Hardly a ringing endorsement by the boating public. Meanwhile, the attendance at SIBS has remained fairly steady with 111,000 visitors last year so now SIBS is the larger exhibition. And certainly it is larger in terms of exhibitors with a far greater variety of manufacturers than are present now at LIBS

Considering the LIBS show seems to be mostly MOBO based I think either 93000 visitors is bloody good going or the 111,000 for SIBS to be a very poor relation considering the exhibitors at SIBS are from all walks of the boating fraternity and therefore appeals to a far greater audience.
I suspect that the lack of sail boats at LIBS this year will really decimate the attendance figures and will be the final nail.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I suspect that the lack of sail boats at LIBS this year will really decimate the attendance figures and will be the final nail.

There has been a lack of sail boats at LIBS for a couple of years and yes, I guess that's another reason why the attendance has gone south. With the economy on the up, I would think that the decline in attendance figures has to be turned around this year otherwise there will be some serious questions asked. I suspect that a major influence will be the sponsors, Tullett Prebon. If attendances keep falling, will they want to be still associated with LIBS? Anyone know how long their contract lasts?

 

[Den100]

Hi RR,

I am considering a 275 cs but I am not sure about the size...I only have 3m to spare in the tender garage and would rather have one that fits than having to deflate/re inflate on use.
Its usually only 2 of us but sometimes three so if it is snug I am happy...

I am pretty sure that I want a console tender so I guess my options are limited but it sounds like you are happy with the 275 open, what size / make engine do you have with it?

I going up on Friday for a looksee and maybe to do a deal....

regards

Nigel

Hi Nigel

I bought a Cabrio 275 last year, replaced a jet rib that we hardly used, and it been great plenty of room for two plus dog and with the folding transom its takes up little space in the garage with the engine on and its really light, I went for A Yam 6hp four stroke as we only use it for short hops ashore.

Paul

 

[RogerRat]

Hi RR, I am considering a 275 cs but I am not sure about the size...I only have 3m to spare in the tender garage and would rather have one that fits than having to deflate/re inflate on use. Its usually only 2 of us but sometimes three so if it is snug I am happy... I am pretty sure that I want a console tender so I guess my options are limited but it sounds like you are happy with the 275 open, what size / make engine do you have with it? I going up on Friday for a looksee and maybe to do a deal.... regards Nigel

Hi Nigel, I see you have a useful reply from Paul, 'Den100' just now. I had a garage size limitation before and I tried a Walker Bay 270 which is actually about 285 with very large tubes. Takes 4 persons quite easily.

The thinking on this was that I could hinge down the transom when deflated to get a 10/15 Hp Mercury 2 stroke on the boat for higher speeds 20+ knots. The deflation worked but I needed an electric air pump to deploy the tender quite quickly. I used a rechargeable one that was great but still needed about 5-10 pumps to get the pressure up to working firmness. In the end, I just felt it wasn't worth it and went back to the standard Fairline - Valiant 270. This is a small tender, 3 persons max. Good for us two and the dog and would plane very well with an 8Hp Yamaha 2 stroke.

I would suggest that you try a console version at the size in question before buying, they look great and quite fun to have a wheel, but the floor area gets greatly reduced and even a 330 is not really big enough. You'll find that it's even hard to turn round as your feet won't have room to move. Quite a few have gone for console and wished they hadn't because they reduce carrying capacity as the console itself takes the room a person, it'll weigh more, so harder to drag up a beach. The console may also be too high for your garage roof too. Ohhh... And they cost more!:ambivalence:

I have to agree the CS looks prettier but for me it's how it does the job. And as you may know I've tried a few. For me it was a no brainer, the Cabrio open has a good carry space, replaceable side ropes, larger tubes for better buoyancy and less spray but light enough to plane at 20knots with my 8 Hp Yam -2stroke.

As I will be mounting her on the swim platform, I really wanted to be able to hinge the outboard forward as well to clear the transom doorways to the cockpit. The one console tender that I have driven and liked muchly is the Walker Bay340 that Hurricane has with a crazy oversized engine but in this case the driving position is located aft a bit like a Dory. I might have a picture somewhere. Still you need a big ol' boat for one of these on the roof.

Good luck with it.

Roger. .

 

[jfm]

I suspect that a major influence will be the sponsors, Tullett Prebon. If attendances keep falling, will they want to be still associated with LIBS? Anyone know how long their contract lasts?

It has already ended. They're not title sponsor of the current 2014 show. I understand the title sponsorship slot is up for grabs if you want it Deleted User. Mike'sBigMachines Boatshow 2015.

 

[Nigelpickin]

Paul/Roger
Thanks so much for the responses, I guess that I need to see the 275 again...I nearly bought one at SIBS but couldnt get the idea of a Williams 285 out of my head...I've just heard so much negative opinion re jetribs that its put me off completely.
I will pop upto the show with a tape measure on Friday...thanks again.

 

[petem]

It has already ended. They're not title sponsor of the current 2014 show. I understand the title sponsorship slot is up for grabs if you want it Deleted User. Mike'sBigMachines Boatshow 2015.

Personally, I think the final nail in the coffin is when manufacturers stop bringing their complete range.

 

[bedouin]

No venue is ideal for everybody; Excel is hardly ideal for many people. But the proof of the pudding is in the figures. In LIBS first year at Excel (2004), there were 213,000 visitors. This has dropped steadily every year with only 93,000 visitors last year. Hardly a ringing endorsement by the boating public. Meanwhile, the attendance at SIBS has remained fairly steady with 111,000 visitors last year so now SIBS is the larger exhibition. And certainly it is larger in terms of exhibitors with a far greater variety of manufacturers than are present now at LIBS

Well - people seemed to like Earls Court

TBH I think it is the internet that is killing the boatshow - even ten years ago you would go to the boat show to get bargains and see a good range of suppliers for any item. Now neither apply, you don't get the bargains and there aren't enough suppliers there to do serious research. I can now contact more suppliers and get better bargains from my armchair. While I still enjoy wandering round the show it is hard to justify the time and money these days, and the level of entertainment they provide is insufficient to justify it as a day out one its own.

 

[chief1]

Isn't one of the problems that Dusseldorf start date is so close to LIBS closing that the manufacturers have trouble moving their toys from London to Germany in time, so have to choose one or the other - so which do they choose.......

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I understand the title sponsorship slot is up for grabs if you want it Deleted User. Mike'sBigMachines Boatshow 2015.

Mmm, that has a certain ring to it

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Isn't one of the problems that Dusseldorf start date is so close to LIBS closing that the manufacturers have trouble moving their toys from London to Germany in time, so have to choose one or the other - so which do they choose.......

Last year the dates overlapped so this year LIBS has moved 1 week earlier but even so theres only 5 clear days between the 2 shows. But the major issue is the relative size of the shows. Dusseldorf is many times bigger than LIBS so international exhibitors are going to choose Dusseldorf over LIBS. Having said that, I went to Dusseldorf last year and there were some exhibitors missing from last year's show compared to previous years so LIBS isn't the only show that is suffering

 

[Solitaire]

I am now up here for the show. I was not originally intending to go this year, but my sailing partner said get your "arse" up here! More leads than we can cope with and so................ I am now in a hotel room having just finished sending in emails. Yes, numbers are down, but on walking around this afternoon there was a lot of positive reaction. Tonight in the hotel, I spoke to two people who have been up here since Saturday and they were very happy. Stands are smaller, but across the board from those I spoke to have been happy.

Still, I will be in a better position to judge tomorrow when I'm actually on the stand.

 

[ari]

Well - people seemed to like Earls Court

TBH I think it is the internet that is killing the boatshow - even ten years ago you would go to the boat show to get bargains and see a good range of suppliers for any item. Now neither apply, you don't get the bargains and there aren't enough suppliers there to do serious research. I can now contact more suppliers and get better bargains from my armchair. While I still enjoy wandering round the show it is hard to justify the time and money these days, and the level of entertainment they provide is insufficient to justify it as a day out one its own.

People seemed to like Earls Court when Princess could get their entire range in - right up to the massive Princess 45! What percentage of the Princess range (or Fairline or Sunseeker or Pearl or or or) would fit in there now?

As to the Internet killing the boat show, that doesn't fit with steady figures at Southampton...

 

[pks1702]

The show seems to be mainly about power boats, and there are several beauties there! Always a pleasure to see an old Riva...

I took this on the opening day:

Pete

Very nicely filmed and edited video, thanks for posting.

 

[ari]

I see that the MBM boat show videos have gone on line now too.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ybwtv/videos?view=0

 

[lanerboy]

can anyone please tell me what time the show is open till on Friday night (tomorrow) as I was going to go on sat but my 12 year old son is poorly and I don't want to leave my parent to have to deal with it for more than they need to so

my original plan was to drive down on Friday get to London about noon have a wander aound then a meal at night stop in a hotel then do the show on sat but I am thinking about going just for the Friday afternoon for a quick look round

can I get a good look round if I get to the show for about 1pm or is that too late

cheers shawn

 

[rafiki_]

can anyone please tell me what time the show is open till on Friday night (tomorrow) as I was going to go on sat but my 12 year old son is poorly and I don't want to leave my parent to have to deal with it for more than they need to so

my original plan was to drive down on Friday get to London about noon have a wander aound then a meal at night stop in a hotel then do the show on sat but I am thinking about going just for the Friday afternoon for a quick look round

can I get a good look round if I get to the show for about 1pm or is that too late

cheers shawn

Shawn, have you checked the web? I think it is around 6pm?

 

[lanerboy]

Shawn, have you checked the web? I think it is around 6pm?

yes paul had a look but could not see it I will take another look must be on there, oh yes my son just pointed it out to me at the bottom 6pm

is 5-6 hrs long enough to look round

 

[rafiki_]

yes paul had a look but could not see it I will take another look must be on there

From other comments on here, 4 or so hours is a decent time to spend there.

 

[lanerboy]

From other comments on here, 4 or so hours is a decent time to spend there.

yes I was thinking that paul from comments I have read, that's why I am thinking of changing my plans due to my circumstances, that's its then I will go Friday afternoon instead